Balkan Legal News - 1 September 2023

The following media round up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 25 August to 31 August 2023.

Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.

Albania – 31 August 2023

The EU’s Anti-Fraud Agency OLAF is investigating alleged corruption with IPARD funds in Albania – after a disgruntled applicant says Albania’s own authorities refused to handle his complaints for years. The full article can be found here.

Kosovo – 31 August 2023

New report says narrow focus on prosecutions leaves too many domestic violence victims in Kosovo struggling to access justice and support when leaving abusive situations.

The full article can be found here.

Kosovo – 30 August 2023

Forensic Scientists recall the Horror of Kosovo’s Mass Graves. The smell of decay and the trauma of exhuming children’s bodies from mass graves dominate the memories of forensic experts who worked in Kosovo, Bosnia and Serbia after the war, driven by a sense of justice and the desire to restore dignity to the victims. The full article can be found here.

Montenegro – 30 August 2023

The Special State Prosecution said it will have to repeat questioning of ex-state officials over the alleged misuse of a 50-million-dollar loan to develop agriculture, owing to errors made in the first procedure. The full article can be found here.

Bosnia and Hercegovina – 29 August 2023

In a ruling, the European Court of Human Rights said the privileges enjoyed by Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs undermine the “democratic character” of elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The full article can be found here.

Serbia – 28 August 2023

Lawyers for two police officers who discovered an illegal marijuana farm that was allegedly protected by Serbian state security said they have been removed from their positions as an act of 'revenge for whistleblowing'. The full article can be found here.

Bulgaria – 25 August 2023

Fugitive tycoon Vassil Bojkov, former lottery business and football club owner, was arrested in Sofia after suddenly returning from exile in Dubai on Friday. The Full article can be found here.

Kosovo – 25 August 2023

Tense Trial in Kosovo showed Justice for war crimes is possible. A witness at the Hague Tribunal trial of Kosovo ex-President Hashim Thaci revived memories for EU rule-of-law mission judge Dean Pineles of a dramatic case in Kosovo 12 years earlier, when two Serb women courageously testified against guerrilla fighters. The full article can be found here.